'Fifty Shades of Grey' sequel to be published June 18

A fourth novel in the British author's multimillion-selling "Fifty Shades of Grey" erotic series will be released June 18 by Vintage Books, the publisher announced Monday. The new book is called "Grey," told from the point of view of billionaire Christian Grey, whose explicit romance with young Anastasia Steele became an international obsession. As with the "Fifty Shades" books, "Grey" will be published as an e-book and a paperback original.

In a statement issued through Vintage, a paperback imprint of Penguin Random House, James said she was dedicating the new book to readers who had "asked ... and asked ... and asked ... asked" for a novel narrated by Christian.

"Christian is a complex character and readers have always been fascinated by his desires and motivations, and his troubled past," she said. "Also, as anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows, there are two sides to every story."

Begun as fan fiction inspired by the "Twilight" novels, the "Fifty Shades" trilogy has sold more than 125 million copies since coming out in 2011. The first "Fifty Shades" movie came out earlier this year and grossed more than $500 million worldwide.